Hartshead Moor are 26 points adrift at the foot of the table after losing their battle of the bottom two to Brighouse.

A delayed start saw the match reduced to 40 overs per side and Hartshead were restricted to 111-9.

Nick Ward (36) top scored as Aleem Ladak took 3-21.

Raja Najeeb’s unbeaten 50 steered Brighouse home by five wickets in 20.4 overs despite Nas Saudagar and James Hardcastle picking up two wickets apiece.

It was Brighouse’s second straight win and they have closed the gap on third-bottom Hopton to eight points.

Methley returned to winning way after two straight defeats with a 58-run success over Bankfoot.

Twins Edward Walmsley (3-9) and Marcus Walmsley (3-23) helped dismiss their former club for 71 when they replied to a modest Methley score of 129.

Methley captain Grant Soames top scored with 32 as Bankfoot’s new Indian spinner Marupuri Suresh took 4-16 in 15 overs, while Greg Colehan picked up 3-27.

Crossbank Methodists secured the derby bragging rights as they defeated Heckmondwike and Carlinghow by two runs.

The two former Huddersfield Central rivals locked horns for the first time since switching leagues and produced a closely fought contest.

James Lord led the way for Crossbank with an unbeaten 52 but his side were restricted to 141-7 in a match reduced to 33 overs per side.

Fahad Imam made a spirited 50 for Heckmondwike & Carlinghow but Lord proved the match winner, following up his efforts with the bat by taking 4-35.

The ninth Heckmondwike wicket fell with them two runs short and two balls remaining but wicketkeeper Matt Crowther was unable to bat after he had been hit in the face while fielding and Crossbank edged the win.

With leaders Buttershaw St Paul’s not having a game, Great Preston and Northowram Fields seized their chance to climb above them in the table.

Great Preston earned a 107-run win at Adwalton, while Northowram proved too good for bottom team East Leeds as they secured a 65-run victory.

Mark Simpson’s unbeaten 69 and 40 from Asif Sheraz enabled Gildersome to overhaul East Ardsley’s 174-7 and secure a three-wicket win, just their second of the season.

Oulton avenged their recent home defeat by Rodley with a two-wicket win.